IT Contractors - here's 5 ways to fast track your career

It's a competitive world out there and many people want to achieve instant success, particularly in the IT industry. Most fail at the first hurdle and then end up frustrated with themselves when they are unable to achieve their goals.

Very few people, IT contractors included, have the patience to
actually sit down and analyse their own strengths and areas of
opportunity well enough to set measurable, realistic and achievable
goals in their personal and professional lives.

If you're one of these people (go on, admit it if you are), you
may want to pay close attention for here are some handy tips to
fast track your IT contracting career.

Advertise & build relationships

This is probably the single most important aspect of your
business. Present yourself and your products or services in all the
areas where you are more likely to get noticed, both on and
off-line. Design and maintain an outstanding web site and try to
get the maximum number of unbiased word of mouth referrals from
your professional network of other IT contractors, recruitment
agencies and clients.

Build yourself a reputation

From the first day of your IT contracting career, try and
establish yourself as an authority in your sector - someone who
encompasses knowledge, honesty, fair play, commitment, solidity and
above all, expertise. Recruitment agencies and clients appreciate
all these qualities and will keep coming back for more, bringing
others in tow.

Be professional

If you're working outside of IR35, make sure you have abundantly
clear contracts. Use proper invoices for billing purposes, invest
in business cards and letterheads, a business email address and
separate work mobile phone.

Keep in regular contact with your client and work to strict
schedules to ensure you never to miss a deadline. Manage your time
efficiently and over-deliver as often as you can. Use the best
hardware and software you can afford; it will pay for itself in the
long run.

Broaden your horizon

Use the full power of the web to leverage your knowledge and
skills. The most successful IT contractors are the ones that take
the time to invest in themselves. Technology is evolving all the
time and since you are the biggest asset to your business, the
importance of training and development cannot be
underestimated.

Put things in perspective

If things aren't exactly going your way, try not to let the the
pressures of being an IT contractor get to you. It can be pretty
tough not knowing where the next gig is coming from but it's best
to keep things in perspective.

It's also really important to have a life outside of your
business. Activities such as programming can be all consuming so
try take some time out for yourself now and again just to re-charge
the batteries if nothing else. You'll return to work in a much
better frame of mind, ready to take the world by storm again!